BUSINESS development organisation NOF Energy says the oil and gas market will remain its main priority in 2013.

BUSINESS development organisation NOF Energy says the oil and gas market will remain its main priority in 2013.

NOF Energy’s Annual Survey charts the activities of its 420 UK and international members.

It said oil and gas was the key priority in 2013 for 78% of members. Offshore renewables is key for more than a third (36%) and nuclear is a high priority for 32%.

The annual survey also tracks NOF Energy members’ export activities with the United States having overtaken Norway as the top export market with Brazil in third place. New to the top five are The Netherlands and Australia.

Other strong export areas include India, Venezuela, Kazakhstan and South Africa with Australia now one of the biggest growth markets.

But the survey also highlights challenges facing members with the biggest being recruitment of skilled staff.

According to industry research by sector skills body SEMTA, industry will require more than 20,000 new personnel in the next four years to address issues such as an aging workforce and the emergence of new energy sectors.

NOF Energy has recently launched Military2Energy, which taps into ex-forces personnel who have skills transferable to the energy sector.

George Rafferty, chief executive of NOF Energy, pictured, said: “Oil and gas will continue to hold much potential for the supply chain for several decades and, as a result of our activities, our members are fully aware of the opportunities available both in the UK and around the world.

“The Government’s Energy Bill will begin to create some stability across the entire industry, which will see the offshore renewables and new nuclear sectors gain some momentum.

“Our survey shows, even though these new sectors will not form the majority of the work of our members, they are geared up, and have the ability to serve these emerging segments of the energy industry.”

He added: “While there is optimism about the growing opportunities in the energy sector there is the very real challenge of meeting the skills requirements of the industry.

“Many are investing in apprenticeships for the long-term, but in the near future employers need to look outside their sectors to find suitable candidates. This is why we have introduced Military2Energy.”